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by Andrea Lange Kids
love woodworking. Making a project from
scratch just like
Ty Pennington, Bob Vila or Dad is a blast.
Carpentry helps kids practice math concepts,
like geometry and fractions, in a fun way.
It also teaches them the importance of
planning and patience (measure twice, cut
once). So grab your hammer and wood scraps
and get building! |
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Scrap Wood
Sculpture
Create your own unique sculpture using wood
scraps and your imagination! This project is good
for woodworkers of all ages and skill levels. Older
children can use a hammer and nails to make their
art; younger kids can construct their sculpture
using wood glue.
Supplies:
- Scrap pieces of wood (find these at the
lumber yard, local furniture maker or in a
handyman’s basement)
- Wood glue
- Nails and hammer
- Tempera paint (or other water-based paint –
powdered or liquid)
- Paintbrushes and sponges
- Water and water containers
- Buttons, beads, glitter and other decorative
pieces (optional)
Directions:
Sort through your wood scraps and pick a few that
you like for their shape, size, etc. Then use the
glue or nails to attach the pieces together to make
a sculpture. (Parental supervision may be required.)
Your sculpture can be abstract, or create an object
like an animal, house, etc.
Using paintbrushes and sponges, paint the
sculpture with tempera paint. Once that has dried,
you can add the buttons, beads, glitter or other
decorative pieces.
Adapted from www.kinderart.com/sculpture/scrapwood.shtml
Classes:
Lowe’s offers free woodworking classes on the
second Saturday of each month. Kids in grades 2-5
can make beginner-level projects. The wood for the
projects is pre-cut and drilled, and all tools are
provided. To find out about upcoming classes or to
register, visit www.lowes.com/clinics.
Home Depot also has free workshops, for children
ages 6-12, on the first Saturday of each month.
Children and a parent work together and make a
project from a pre-fabricated kit. Home Depot offers
more than 50 projects, including birdhouses and
toolboxes. Kids also get a kid-sized orange Home
Depot apron and an achievement pin.
McDaniel Farm Park is offering wood-working skills
classes April 9, 16 and 23 for $15 per class. The
parent-child team can build a birdhouse or
foot-stool. All supplies are provided.
Products:
Home Depot offers products for young builders,
including the Home Depot Portable Tool Chest for
$39.99, which has 35 functional kid-sized tools,
including hammer, pliers, wrenches and safety
glasses. They also offer woodworking kits, such as
the Home Depot Deluxe Wooden Birdhouse for $14.99,
which includes everything you need (pre-cut wood,
screwdriver and screws) to make a birdhouse.
Toys to Grow On (www.toystogrowon.com) sells the
Build-It-Yourself Woodworking Kit, $24.95, a tool
box that includes more than 80 pine pieces, hammer,
nails and project guide. They also offer a Young
Woodworker’s Project Kit, $29.95, which has pre-cut
wood, hardware, glue and instructions for three
projects.
Duluth Trading Company sells a Kid’s Tool Set,
$30 and a Kid’s Tool Belt and Tools, $35. Both
include hammer, torpedo level, screwdrivers, tape
measure and kid-sized safety glasses. Available at
www.duluthtrading.com.
Books:
 The
Kids’ Building Workshop: 15 Woodworking Projects for
Kids
by Craig and Barbara Robertson
March 2004
This book includes instructions and diagrams for
fun woodworking projects, each test was built by the
authors’ kids. It also includes a basic introduction
to woodworking tools, and techniques and tips for
beginners.
A Kid’s Guide to Crafts: Wood Projects
by Tim Bramlett
May 1997
Make a variety of kid-tested projects – treasure
chests, pirate swords and airplanes – that can be
made with minimal parental supervision. Kids can
also learn the tools of the trade and carpentry
lingo with the glossary and illustrated tool page.
 Fun
Projects for You and the Kids
by David Stiles
December 2003
Learn how to make the stuff that your kids dream
of – like a lemonade stand, tepee or clubhouse. This
book has instructions and illustrations for projects
families can build together. It also includes
information on carpentry basics, tools and
materials.
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